Vinyl pressings
by Wham! · 1986
The Final was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 15 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
WHAM-2 . A-1 MT.Runout side A
WHAM-2 B-1 MT.Runout side B
WHAM-2 . C-1 MT.Runout side C
WHAM-2 . D-1 MT.Runout side D
EPC 88681 A1Runout, A-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC 88681 B2Runout, B-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC-88681-C-5Runout, C-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC-88681-D-5Runout, D-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC 88681 A1Runout, A-side, etched variant 1
EPC 88681 B1Runout, B-side, etched variant 1
EPC-88681-C-4Runout, C-side, etched variant 1
EPC-88681-D-4Runout, D-side, etched variant 1
EPC 88681 A1Runout, A-side variant 1
EPC 88681 B1Runout, B-side variant 1
EPC-88681-C4Runout, C-side variant 1
EPC-88681-D4Runout, D-side variant 1
EPC 88681 A1Runout, A-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC 88681 B2Runout, B-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC-88681-C-5Runout, C-side, etched. Variant 1
EPC-88681-D-5Runout, D-side, etched. Variant 1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Epic 2ELPS 0040First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCCL 32 443 4 / Epic EPC 88681LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1191-1 / CBS/Sony CYA 1190-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | India | Epic EPIC 10282First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Epic EPC 88681 / Epic 88681First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Israel | Epic 88681First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Epic 2ELPS 0040First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Portugal | Epic 88681 / Epic EPC 88681First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | South Africa | Epic AGP 143/144First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | South Africa | Epic AGP 143/144First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Spain | Epic EPC 88681First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Spain | Epic EPC 88681 / Epic EPC 88681 (SD)First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | UK | Epic Wham 2 / Epic 88681First yearLP, Compilation, Picture Disc, Stereo, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Compilation, Picture Disc, Stereo, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 1986 | UK | Epic EPC 88681 / Epic 88681First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | UK | Epic 88681 / Epic EPC 88681First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Korea | Sony CPL-1250 / Epic 25.8P-5184LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of The Final are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1986 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Europe, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Epic Wham 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Wham 2, EPC 88681, 88681, 38・3P-751~2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WHAM-2 . A-1 MT. and WHAM-2 B-1 MT.. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
